SEATTLE: The Seahawks are well-versed in zone blocking after a year under current offensive line coach Tom Cable, one of the best zone-blocking coaches in the game. They play a lot of two-tight end and three-receiver sets and do a lot of inside zone runs with Marshawn Lynch, who will continue to get a mammoth workload. Change-of-pace back Leon Washington will occasionally spell Lynch on passing downs, taking about a third of the reps, and rookie Robert Turbin is expected to be used on only a handful of snaps as long as Lynch is able to remain healthy. Seattle is run-heavy near the goal line: Lynch will again have a huge role in the red zone, as Seattle was one of four teams to run it more than 60 percent of the time in goal-to-go situations. The Seahawks run a West Coast offense similar to the one QB Matt Flynn played in at Green Bay. Seattle uses a lot of three-WR sets, and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell was able to open things up for slot receiver Doug Baldwin. Split end Sidney Rice is more of a perimeter threat in this offense, and Golden Tate has a chance for an increased number of targets at flanker. Tight end Zach Miller ended up being a bit redundant with Baldwin in the middle of the field, which is why his numbers were down. Miller's contributions are not expected to increase now that he'll be splitting reps with Kellen Winslow. Although their 2011 leading tackler LB David Hawthorne is now in New Orleans, the Seahawks should remain an above-average defense. They finished fourth in the NFL with 22 interceptions (Brandon Browner had six) and made huge improvements in both yards allowed and scoring defense in 2011. One of the reasons was the play of DL Chris Clemons, who after floundering for several different teams has found a home in Seattle with back-to-back 11-sack seasons'there's little reason to believe the explosive DE won't reach double figures again in 2012. Safety Kam Chancellor is an elite in-the-box run-stuffer who even plays some linebacker on passing downs. He's also good enough in coverage that he's not a liability when opponents decide to pass the ball. Chancellor forms one of the NFL's best young safety tandems with Earl Thomas, who draws comparisons to Troy Polamalu due to his athleticism and exceptional instincts.

ATLANTA: New offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter isn't nearly as run-happy as departed play-caller Mike Mularkey, so this offense won't be nearly as ground-heavy as it's been in recent seasons. Atlanta was largely a man-blocking team under Mularkey, but Koetter runs a mix of man and zone, requiring an adjustment for the offensive line. As for the backs, Michael Turner is declining, and Jacquizz Rodgers has carved out a role as a change-of-pace back who will get the ball in a variety of ways. Koetter coached 5-foot-6 Maurice Jones-Drew in Jacksonville, and while MJD is thicker, Koetter won't hesitate to use the 5-foot-6 Rodgers. Koetter tends to not mess around with a lot of play-action in the red zone, so near the goal line is where Turner will continue to earn his money. Koetter likes to get his receivers stretching the field, especially on play-action, and he's always been able to find ways to get the ball to his tight ends, which is good news for Tony Gonzalez. Roddy White should again be Matt Ryan's No. 1 target, and Julio Jones will be targeted more frequently downfield. One of Koetter's biggest challenges is to improve the screen game, which was non-existent in Atlanta. That's why Rodgers could be in for a much bigger role. He also plans on utilizing the no-huddle offense that the Falcons used effectively at times last year. The Falcons have a decent overall defense, but they lost their middle linebacker Curtis Lofton to the Saints. He'll be replaced by Sean Weatherspoon, who displayed outstanding range on the outside last season, but may take some time to adjust to the new role. The addition of CB Asante Samuel instantly improves Atlanta's secondary because he has the ability to make opposing quarterbacks pay for trying to avoid throwing at Brent Grimes, who is also an opportunistic playmaker capable of covering No. 1 receivers. DE John Abraham was the only player to surpass four sacks last season. Abraham can't keep his 10-sack production up forever, but he's still a solid tackler who has the ability to pop the football loose. Expect another productive season from the 34-year-old.